trial day 43: the defense continues its case in chief #131

[Boytwnmom]

Before deliberation, the jury is usually instructed that they if they don't believe a witness, they can discard all or part of that witness's testimony. If they decide to discard ALL of JA's testimony, it seems logical that they would also discard all or most of ALV's testimony since most of it is based almost entirely on what Jodi told her, and Jodi is not even remotely credible.

Exactly. Credibility is everything here. The entire defense is based on Jodi's "words". Her testimony and journals and her interviews with Samuels and Alyce basically comprise the entirety of their case. Juan's case is establishing premeditation and destroying the credibility of defense witnesses, including Jodi. I think he is far ahead of the defense in convincing the jury on these critical issues.

The jury will be instructed on credibility. One factor in determining credibility is bias. Does the witness have a stake in the proceedings, i.e. a reason to lie? Hmmmm, I'm thinking that might not work in the defense's favor.

I'm also interested in what effect the victim bashing is having on the jury and how that may directly or indirectly influence their ultimate decision. Now that is not something they will be instructed to consider, like with witness credibility. But I can't help but think if they decide she is guilty and lied in regard to her claims of self defense based on her testimony about Travis's "abuse" and the pedophilia claims, that might almost work as an "aggravating"factor that would work against any sympathy that might otherwise cause them to spare her life. She just does not objectively seem to present as a sympathetic figure.


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[scmom]

I can't wait to find out what JM's expert has to say about Miss A.

 

[Dr. Know?]

What does she say:

Jodi Arias Unedited Police Interrogation Video 5 - YouTube

31:50...."Still hate me?"

fake giggle then "Still hate me? Alright"

That bothers me if she's talking to TA or herself. TA might have said "I hate you Jodi" and she went spazo on him. guessing only...

 

[a/k/a me]

I almost agree. I think ALV desperately wants to jury to see her as bullied. She has lied and dug a hole so deep she'll never get out of it, so, in a way, like JA, she is trying to be perceived as the victim or object of abuse. Like JA she can't contain her smugness and arrogance and seems to be playing to the jury when she thinks she's won, like the "time out" remark. I can't imagine she'll ever admit anything she did is wrong, and it will always be someone else's fault. I hope her career is finished after this trial. the more I see of her the more dangerous I think she is.

I had the exact same thoughts. The 'time out' remark made me realize....this woman is a master manipulator herself. She provokes and pushes the envelope and then immediately goes to the 'victim' role. We saw her do it within minutes with the "Are you angry with me, Mr Martinez ?" schlep.

 

[beeshie]

Am I crazy or does goofy forensic guy on Dr Drew who KNEW Jodi and Travis have a theory that actually makes a lot of sense with the evidence?
I have always thought the "gun jammed" in the ninja account was born from a possibility that that is in fact why she had to stab Travis. .... Do I need to have a bath now and get to bed?

IMO, it doesn't make sense, but I know a lot of people here would agree agree with you and the dude on Dr Drew.

 

[DebinGA]

I thought he was seeing and definitely flirting with other women while in an official relationship with Jodi. Aren't there texts messages between Travis and other women that would be deemed inappropriate if he was dating someone?

Travis dated Lisa from July 07 to Feb/early Mar. 08. He only had a few dates with Mimi after Lisa, all platonic. Even Jodi admits they weren't official after 6-29-07, though she claims he was "courting" her at some point in early 2008.

 

[panthera]

The jury will wonder why her parents did not testify for her in this phase,when the DT says we rest your honor!

There will be a penalty phase yet to come, which is more appropriate for family to testify unless they have first-hand knowledge of something relevant to the murder.

MOO

 

[Nhic]

From what I heard, prison is a lot better than jail because you get more privileges like a tv in your cell and some other perks.

Thanks Sistah.


:banghead: Was hoping prison would be a worse environment than jail.

 

[sammie]

Why didn't ALV ever tell JM that texts are nonverbal?

Because by definition, words are "verbal". It's simply written verbal communication vs spoken/oral verbal communication.

 

[katiedid2]

thanks for that,
Did she get a job in Mesa?

Lol jodie threw a lot of people under the bus. She had no loyalty to anyone but herself. She's been broken for a long time.

 

[JusticeJunkie]

You said hers was a run on sentence "like THIS one" (referring to what I took as mine in my comment) and that is I responded that way. So I apologize.

Peace friend. It's easy to misunderstand the written word - just like Juan was trying to tell ALV this afternoon.
I have a bad habit of expecting everyone to have watched the trial that day - my fault.

 

[kscornfed]

I thought he was seeing and definitely flirting with other women while in an official relationship with Jodi. Aren't there texts messages between Travis and other women that would be deemed inappropriate if he was dating someone?

'Official' according to whom? Have we heard it characterized that way by anyone but her?

 

[katiedid2]

Thanks Sistah.


:banghead: Was hoping prison would be a worse environment than jail.

What even on death row?

 

[mikeysmommom]

How is willful ignorance any sort of justification in an expert witness???? She never bothered to keep up with current research and understanding. Even when she wanted to do a bit more research she says the DT prevented her. She could have walked at any time.

She chose to remain ignorant in all sorts of ways. She chose to make the lives of countless couples out there miserable and worse, because of fanaticism co-opting outmoded thought. Geez. She and her outdated views are a danger to the trusting, damaged, vulnerable and gullible. She really knows how to work that old-fashioned lady persona, a very compelling facade that sucks people in.

IMO She is and has been a danger to the very women she thinks she serves! I agree with you 1000%.

 

[Anadarko]

Today, I had some very minor foot surgery. As I was laying there, I thought I would rather be anywhere but here! It was minor, but very uncomfortable.

I get home, and start watching the second half of today's testimony with ALV, and I started yearning for the surgery chair.....

 

[Hatfield]

Old school domestic violence 101 used to preach that anger is the reason for abuse. And LaViolette is a strong proponent for court-ordered anger management as a solution, in part, to domestic violence.

I see abuse as entirely about control with anger being one of many manifestations utilized to establish and maintain control. I am against court-ordered anger management therapies because I believe they have the ability to teach an abuser to adapt and be more covert. Especially true with psychopathic abusers. (Research shows a moderate success rate looking purely at recidivism in arrests. Victims have a much different opinion according to a lot of the same research.)

It seems to me and my 'untrained brain' that LaViolette is using an antiquated notion of the causation of domestic violence itself. Travis expresses anger openly while Jodi is more subtly (raging) passive-aggressive among a whole list of other emotional manipulators very often used by abusers to control their victims. If I were only looking for anger...apart from the crime itself, and precluded any other manifestation as evidence of an abusive relationship, I'm not certain I'd see her as an abuser either.

I'm not defending LaViolette as I do honestly believe she's dangerous in her own way. I think it just hit me why I see black where she sees white and vice versa. The past few decades of research flies in the face of her testimony regardless.

MOO

Catching up as I missed most of todays testimony. I just want to thank you and a lot of other posters for some excellent posts in this particular thread.

You have summed it up very well. Others also contributed to some great analysis of what we are witnessing.

I feel confident Juan is doing the best job he can do with the cards he has been dealt. He is right on track. We just have to be patient as he gets the job done.

Thanks again to everybody for the great summaries.

 

[SyraKelly]

It wasn't anything about Travis. It has nothing to do with how good looking JA is (NOT my opinion btw) or how easy it was for her to get dates. JA didn't view Travis as a life to be thrown away or a crime to commit, she viewed him as an object to use and when he no longer served his purpose and when he enraged her and rejected her and she could no longer control him, she used sex as her weapon and she killed him. There is no more need to ponder why she (a 'good looking girl') would kill than we would question why any other killer would kill. She's a psychopath. She doesn't feel regret or remorse. She doesn't feel period. She probably realized she would get caught at some point and she probably banked on (and is still banking on) not being held accountable, because she has lawyers and witnesses and experts to work for her and she has jurors who will excuse her and pity her and let her walk free like she has done all of her pathetic life. She is no different or no better than any other predator, well - maybe worse. She just gets more attention. And she will rot in a hotter corner of hell for what she's doing to Travis' loved ones.

ITA,But I think Jodi was one of those-If I can't have you,no one will!!

 

[katiedid2]

'Official' according to whom? Have we heard it characterized that way by anyone but her?

All Jodie's word? He wasn't engaged or married to Jodie and anything Jodie says is suspect moo.

 

[Sedonia Sunset]

Can you explain to me how Travis was cheating? Was it like Matt McCartney was cheating, blissfully unaware he was still in a relationship with Jodi?

The murder can be summed up as follows: Jodi can break up with you. You don't get to break up with Jodi.

Jodi said (in both cases) that even though they were broken up, she was still being "wooed". I take that to mean she offered sex and they took her up on the offer and may even have treated her as a date (a girl's gotta eat to keep up enough strength for all that sex, after all).

People that become obsessed with other people often interpret the slightest bit of response (good OR bad) as them being in a relationship. Even if all the person does is glance at them (or just in their direction). I think JA was smarter than that in that she KNEW they were no longer an "official" couple; she simply ignored that and rationalized that they were wooing her so she was justified in behaving in any manner she saw fit. Of course, Bobby J kept hanging up on her, but she STILL managed to temporarily get back with him. Hanging up on her doesn't sound like he was wooing her.

 

[Lorelilly]

What was it about Travis that had Jodi so obsessed? She's not a bad looking girl and dating guys wasn't a problem for her. I just don't understand stand why she slaughtered him and why would she think that she'd get away with it. Travis seemed to be a nice guy...a cheater but nice. He wasn't worth throwing a life away in prison or death. I just don't understand people who think they can commit the perfect murder. It's ridiculous to believe you're smarter than everyone because at that point, you're so smart until you're STUPID!

Travis was HER perfect storm. None of us is ever going to know exactly why JA was so obsessed but for starters... HE was successful, smart, handsome, religious and everybody liked him. SHE was not successful, thought she was smart, was pretty on the outside but so ugly on the inside and used religion for gain as in gain Travis. God, Travis never saw her coming and when he actually did see the real her it was too damn late. She is Pure Evil.